The current F-15 does, but wouldn’t a new F-15 version with a different radar (i.e. what’s being considered for the JASDF) necessitate re-integration of Japanese AAMs?

Only partially. Radar integration along with software integration is only half the battle. Seperation testing and confirming how the weapon in question interacts with other ordnance combinations is equally as important. The fact that the Japanese AAM family has already had this integration on the F-15 airframe should make this process somewhat faster and cheaper than the norm.

Cheers

Agreed.

C-17s look like a vanity purchase, one-upmanship over the neighbours.

And it is a way to finance the continued running of the C-17 line. The UK has already picked up extras, they may even get more down the road… who knows. And if the A-400 project dies (a possibility at least) there is a good chance that there will be additional C-17 sales to other new customers down the road. India is being talked about I believe.

The key for the USA and Boeing is to find some way to keep that line going at least for a few more years in order to be there to pick up these new contracts. And the Saudi’s are the perfect customer. They pay cash, buy top o the line expensive gear and will step in when necessary when the Americans ask them to. And if no other new C-17 customers emerge then the Americans get a nice chunk of change back from the Saudis. Win win for the US.

Whatever chance Argentina had of some sort of negotiated arrangement with Great Britain and the Falkland Islanders was swept away essentially forever in April 1982 when the Argentines landed at Stanley.

All these back and forth points are irrelevant.

The Falkland Islanders will NEVER wish to live under Argentine rule. NEVER. All the talk here about who did what to whom in the 19th century has no relevance to the current situation on the ground. Self determination is a RIGHT under international law that IMHO trumps all.

Argentina can go to the UN and complain but that will not come to much.

And as we all know the military situation now has changed. Argentina does not have the capability to take the islands by force and it would take years and billions of dollars/pesos they do not have to attempt to rebuild their forces to the point where they could have another go. And this kind of buildup is not something that MI6 or American KH-11’s would miss.

Perhaps the smart play for the UK would be to offer to give Argentina a cut of royalties from any oil resources found off the Falklands as a gesture of goodwill. But I think even that would be rejected by Argentina.

At the end of the day I think the Argentine government and especially their military know and understands these realities. This is all about domestic politics within Argentina, nothing more.

…BTW: The F-18 comment is a fair point…:D

Perhaps, however we have never needed attrition replacements. Maybe our pilots were better than expected and the amount of airframes we had on hand was enough.

We purchased 138 Hornets and have lost 16 planes in 28 years of service. 20 options were taken up with McDonnell Douglas but were never exercised. And currently we have approximately 80 airframes that have been through an upgrade. Roughly 18-20 are still in storage.

Here we go again….. Spare me the self righteousness please.

Yes this is a NORAD commitment I guess. And I appreciate that the USAF is assisting us in protecting the Olympics from potential threats.

Thank you USAF!

And there is precedent for this. NATO’s AEW force based in Germany provided top cover for the Torino games in 2006 as Italy does not have this capability either. Canada pays it’s share of supporting that force by the way and provides aircrew and ground staff as part of our alliance commitments.

Yes I would agree with you in general terms that Canada has not done all it can to pull its weight when it comes to defense for a long time, however I think we have definitely turned the corner and are punching above our weight for the first time in ages.

Canada is the only allied navy that the USN allows to become FULLY integrated into Carrier Battle Group formations. Data links, intelligence, the whole deal. Not the UK, not Germany…. Only the Royal Canadian navy.

Canada has taken a leading role in Southern Afghanistan. Thousands of American Marines are currently under DIRECT Canadian command in Kandahar as we speak. Were you aware of that sir??? I can hardly recollect a time when the US willingly let its troops be commanded and led by someone other than an American. We have lost more service members per capita fighting this war than any other Alliance member. Our respect there is well earned.

We are, along with the USA, leading the restoration of Haiti. Our new C-17’s are providing sterling service there, and in Afghanistan as well. We were on the ground one day after the earthquake hit. Only America and Canada could say that.

And yet you choose to criticize our lack of AEW capability. Only France and the UK have E-3’s in NATO. The UK, France, Spain and Italy have AEW helicopters as part of their respective carrier air wings. Nobody else does. NATO has 18 E-3’s that Canada pays it’s share of.

So, with due respect, if you self-righteously choose to criticize Canada over not investing in AEW capability than that is your right I guess. Just insure please going forward that you place your criticism into proper context.

RAF Mount Pleasant changes everything. Putting aside the state of the Argentinian Air Forces and Navy for a bit, I think that the fact that the British correctly spent monies to build up the infrastructure was the smart play. A flight of Typhoons, A reinforced company of regular troops, a company of Falklands Defense force reservists and a world class Air base protected by SAM’s is too tough a nut to crack for Argentina before the E-3’s, Tornado’s, Nimrods, C-17’s and submarines show up. This is certainly much more formidable than (due respect) a platoon of Royal Marines, which is what Argentina faced 28 years ago.

Building the base, though expensive, means that the task force route like what took place in 1982 will never be necessary again.

Where can I download this book?:confused:

You know this site is administered by a PUBLISHING COMPANY……. RIGHT???

Take your piracy elsewhere.